Letter from Hattie to Father, December 31, 1871
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Hattie to Father, December 31, 1871
Subject
New Year; Kerr, J. G. (John Glasgow), 1824-1901; Faith; Fathers and daughters
Description
In this letter to her father, Harriet says it is almost midnight before the new year. At the Sabbath eve meeting prior, the congregation had a thanksgiving of sorts where everyone shared the things they were grateful for over the year. Harriet remembers her father saying when she was younger that if there were two words to live by, they were, "Do right." She holds her father in the highest regard.
Creator
Noyes, Harriet Newell
Source
The College of Wooster, Special Collections, Noyes Collection, Box #1
Publisher
Unpublished
Date
1871-12-31
Contributor
Council on Library and Information Resources Hidden Special Collections Grant
Rights
Format
PDF
Language
eng (English)
Type
Text
Identifier
noyes_c_cor_070
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Canton
Dec 31st 1871
My dear Father,
It is nearly midnight
of the last day of 1871, and I
will spend some of the moments
that still remain in writing to
you. This is the eighth time
that I have sat up "to watch the
old year out and the new one
in." The first time I was down in
the army in the storeroom of the
US Christian Commission and I
remember the first moments of 18[?63?] -
better than any of the later years,
This is Sabbath eve and we have
been down to our regular meeting
It was Dr Kerr's turn to take the
service, but instead of reading a
sermon as he usually does he made
a few remarks and then asked
the others to do the same. We had
a real thanksgiving meeting for every
one seemed to feel that we all
have Especial reason for gratitude
to God for his goodness to us during
the year which is just closing.
Mr Preston and Mr Nevin spoke of their
visits home and how they had
been blessed during their absence
Mr Simmons referred to their preservation
when their house was struck by
lightening, Mr Van Dyke from
Siam who came here in search
of health some weeks since spoke
of his gratitude for the restoration
of health and strength, + his pleasure
in the prospect of a speedy return
to his work. Dr Kerr referred too
to our preservation from the dangers
which seemed near us when on
board the Eastern Isles. I have
been thinking all day that it seems
to me I have more to be thankful
for now than I ever had before and
most of all for the many dear [u]dear[/u]
friends that God has given me
both at home and in this part of
the world. I wish I could know
that all the loved ones at home are
well and happy to-night. It seems
to me that assurance is all that I
need to make me perfectly happy.
But I know that you are in
the tender care and keeping of
Him who never slumbers nor
sleeps and who [?lives?] you
infinitely more than I [u]can[/u].
I have just been thinking of
something that you said many
years ago which made as deep an
impression on my mind as anything
ever did. It was when I was about
ten years old I had been down
to one of Mr Bosworth's examinations
+ in making some remarks to his
scholars at the close he told them that
there were two words which if they would
take for their motto and live by them
would carry them safely through Time
and through Eternity. When I went
home I told you of his remark and
asked you to guess what they were.
The works that he mentioned were "Be
careful," but you guessed they must
have been "Do [u]right[/u]," and it seemed
so much better as a motto for life + a
safe guide if faithfully followed through
this life to a better one, and I resolved
then that it should be my motto for life.
And thus far it has been No one else
can know as I do how often and how
miserably I have failed but I have
never lost sight of it and it has always
been and always will be a pleasure
to me to remember that the two words
which I have taken for the rule of my
life were suggested by [u]my Father[/u].
Doubtless you never thought of it again
but I believe those two words have
exerted far more influence over
my life than all the sermons
I ever heard. Sometimes it seems
hard to tell what [u]is[/u] right but I
think we are shown what is right
to do to-day and must oftentimes
[u]trust[/u] for to-morrow, as I read in
some book. "We mostly see but one
step at a time." And it is always
a comfort to remember that our
paths are marked out for us and
to believe . that if we really want to
do what is right we shall be shown
how. Henry + I have been talking
to-day of the past year such a short
year it has been and of the many [u]many[/u]
pleasures the past few months have brought
to us. And we have wondered as we
often do [--l--]how it is that when you are
so much better than we shall even be
we know, still our path seems to be all
sunlight and yours has had so
many shadows. But we shall know
sometime when we are all safe at
home beyond all the clouds and
shadows in the light of heaven
we shall see clearly all that is dark
now and know then [u]why[/u] some were
make "perfect through suffering". The
bells on the steamers have just finished
[Note: following written vertically in margin on first page]
ringing in the New Year. May it be a happy New Year for my dear Father
+ Mother and all the dear ones at home, And that it may be
followed by [u]many[/u] more [u]happy[/u] years for you all is
the prayer
of Your
loving daughter Hattie
广州
1871 年 12 月 31 日
我亲爱的父亲，
1871 年最后一天快午夜了，
我会花一些时间给你写信。
这是我第八次坐起来“看着旧的一年过去，
新的一年过去”。
我第一次在美国基督教委员会的储藏室里当兵，
我记得 1863 年的最初时刻——比任何晚年都好，
这是安息日前夕，
我们已经开始定期会议了。
轮到科尔上台了，
但他没有像往常那样阅读布道，
而是发表了一些评论，
然后要求其他人也这样做。
我们举行了一次真正的感恩会议，
因为每个人似乎都觉得我们都有特别的理由感谢上帝在即将结束的一年中对我们的善意。
Preston 先生和 Nevin 先生谈到了他们的回家探访，
以及在他们离开期间他们是如何得到祝福的 Simmons 先生提到了他们的房子被闪电击中时他们得到了保护，
来自暹罗的 Van Dyke 先生几周后来到这里寻求健康，
他谈到了他对恢复健康和体力的感激之情，
以及他对早日重返工作岗位的前景感到高兴。
克尔医生也提到了我们在东部群岛上时似乎离我们很近的危险的保护。
我整天都在想，
在我看来，
我现在比以往任何时候都要感谢更多，
最重要的是感谢上帝在家里和世界这个地方给我的许多亲爱的朋友。
我希望我能知道今晚家里所有的亲人都平安快乐。
在我看来，
保证就是让我完全快乐所需要的一切。
但我知道你在他的温柔照顾和保护中，
他从不打盹也不睡觉，
他比我更能无限地活你。
我一直在想你多年前所说的话，
这件事在我的脑海中留下了前所未有的深刻印象。
大约在我十岁的时候，
我参加了博斯沃思先生的一次考试，
他在结束时对他的学者们发表了一些评论，
他告诉他们，
如果他们愿意将两个词作为自己的座右铭并以此为生将带着他们安全地穿越时间和永恒。
当我回家时，
我把他的话告诉了你，
并让你猜猜它们是什么。
他提到的作品是“小心”，
但你猜它们一定是“做正确的”，
如果忠实地遵循这一生，
它似乎会更好地成为人生的座右铭和安全的指南，
以获得更好的人生，
并且我当时决定，
这应该是我的人生座右铭。
到目前为止，
没有人能像我一样知道我失败的频率和痛苦程度，
但我从未忘记它，
我一直很高兴记住这两个词我已经接受了我父亲的建议。
毫无疑问，
你再也没有想到它，
但我相信这两个词对我的生活产生的影响比我听过的所有布道要大得多。
有时似乎很难说什么是正确的，
但我认为我们已经看到了今天做什么是正确的，
并且必须经常相信明天，
正如我在某本书中读到的那样。
“我们大多一次只看到一步。
”记住我们的道路是为我们指明并相信的，
这总是一种安慰。
如果我们真的想做正确的事，
我们将被展示如何去做。
亨利和我今天一直在谈论过去一年如此短暂的一年，
以及过去几个月给我们带来的许多乐趣。
而且我们经常想知道，
当你比我们知道的要好得多时，
我们的道路似乎仍然充满阳光，
而你的道路却有如此多的阴影。
但是我们会知道，
当我们都安全地在家时，
在天堂之光下的所有云层和阴影之外，
我们会清楚地看到现在所有的黑暗，
然后知道为什么有些人会“通过苦难变得完美”。
蒸笼上的钟声刚刚敲响过年[注：以下在第一页页边空白处竖着写]。
愿我亲爱的父亲和母亲以及所有在家里的亲人新年快乐，
并为你们所有人带来更多快乐的岁月，
这是我的祈祷。
你的女儿，
海蒂
Dec 31st 1871
My dear Father,
It is nearly midnight
of the last day of 1871, and I
will spend some of the moments
that still remain in writing to
you. This is the eighth time
that I have sat up "to watch the
old year out and the new one
in." The first time I was down in
the army in the storeroom of the
US Christian Commission and I
remember the first moments of 18[?63?] -
better than any of the later years,
This is Sabbath eve and we have
been down to our regular meeting
It was Dr Kerr's turn to take the
service, but instead of reading a
sermon as he usually does he made
a few remarks and then asked
the others to do the same. We had
a real thanksgiving meeting for every
one seemed to feel that we all
have Especial reason for gratitude
to God for his goodness to us during
the year which is just closing.
Mr Preston and Mr Nevin spoke of their
visits home and how they had
been blessed during their absence
Mr Simmons referred to their preservation
when their house was struck by
lightening, Mr Van Dyke from
Siam who came here in search
of health some weeks since spoke
of his gratitude for the restoration
of health and strength, + his pleasure
in the prospect of a speedy return
to his work. Dr Kerr referred too
to our preservation from the dangers
which seemed near us when on
board the Eastern Isles. I have
been thinking all day that it seems
to me I have more to be thankful
for now than I ever had before and
most of all for the many dear [u]dear[/u]
friends that God has given me
both at home and in this part of
the world. I wish I could know
that all the loved ones at home are
well and happy to-night. It seems
to me that assurance is all that I
need to make me perfectly happy.
But I know that you are in
the tender care and keeping of
Him who never slumbers nor
sleeps and who [?lives?] you
infinitely more than I [u]can[/u].
I have just been thinking of
something that you said many
years ago which made as deep an
impression on my mind as anything
ever did. It was when I was about
ten years old I had been down
to one of Mr Bosworth's examinations
+ in making some remarks to his
scholars at the close he told them that
there were two words which if they would
take for their motto and live by them
would carry them safely through Time
and through Eternity. When I went
home I told you of his remark and
asked you to guess what they were.
The works that he mentioned were "Be
careful," but you guessed they must
have been "Do [u]right[/u]," and it seemed
so much better as a motto for life + a
safe guide if faithfully followed through
this life to a better one, and I resolved
then that it should be my motto for life.
And thus far it has been No one else
can know as I do how often and how
miserably I have failed but I have
never lost sight of it and it has always
been and always will be a pleasure
to me to remember that the two words
which I have taken for the rule of my
life were suggested by [u]my Father[/u].
Doubtless you never thought of it again
but I believe those two words have
exerted far more influence over
my life than all the sermons
I ever heard. Sometimes it seems
hard to tell what [u]is[/u] right but I
think we are shown what is right
to do to-day and must oftentimes
[u]trust[/u] for to-morrow, as I read in
some book. "We mostly see but one
step at a time." And it is always
a comfort to remember that our
paths are marked out for us and
to believe . that if we really want to
do what is right we shall be shown
how. Henry + I have been talking
to-day of the past year such a short
year it has been and of the many [u]many[/u]
pleasures the past few months have brought
to us. And we have wondered as we
often do [--l--]how it is that when you are
so much better than we shall even be
we know, still our path seems to be all
sunlight and yours has had so
many shadows. But we shall know
sometime when we are all safe at
home beyond all the clouds and
shadows in the light of heaven
we shall see clearly all that is dark
now and know then [u]why[/u] some were
make "perfect through suffering". The
bells on the steamers have just finished
[Note: following written vertically in margin on first page]
ringing in the New Year. May it be a happy New Year for my dear Father
+ Mother and all the dear ones at home, And that it may be
followed by [u]many[/u] more [u]happy[/u] years for you all is
the prayer
of Your
loving daughter Hattie
广州
1871 年 12 月 31 日
我亲爱的父亲，
1871 年最后一天快午夜了，
我会花一些时间给你写信。
这是我第八次坐起来“看着旧的一年过去，
新的一年过去”。
我第一次在美国基督教委员会的储藏室里当兵，
我记得 1863 年的最初时刻——比任何晚年都好，
这是安息日前夕，
我们已经开始定期会议了。
轮到科尔上台了，
但他没有像往常那样阅读布道，
而是发表了一些评论，
然后要求其他人也这样做。
我们举行了一次真正的感恩会议，
因为每个人似乎都觉得我们都有特别的理由感谢上帝在即将结束的一年中对我们的善意。
Preston 先生和 Nevin 先生谈到了他们的回家探访，
以及在他们离开期间他们是如何得到祝福的 Simmons 先生提到了他们的房子被闪电击中时他们得到了保护，
来自暹罗的 Van Dyke 先生几周后来到这里寻求健康，
他谈到了他对恢复健康和体力的感激之情，
以及他对早日重返工作岗位的前景感到高兴。
克尔医生也提到了我们在东部群岛上时似乎离我们很近的危险的保护。
我整天都在想，
在我看来，
我现在比以往任何时候都要感谢更多，
最重要的是感谢上帝在家里和世界这个地方给我的许多亲爱的朋友。
我希望我能知道今晚家里所有的亲人都平安快乐。
在我看来，
保证就是让我完全快乐所需要的一切。
但我知道你在他的温柔照顾和保护中，
他从不打盹也不睡觉，
他比我更能无限地活你。
我一直在想你多年前所说的话，
这件事在我的脑海中留下了前所未有的深刻印象。
大约在我十岁的时候，
我参加了博斯沃思先生的一次考试，
他在结束时对他的学者们发表了一些评论，
他告诉他们，
如果他们愿意将两个词作为自己的座右铭并以此为生将带着他们安全地穿越时间和永恒。
当我回家时，
我把他的话告诉了你，
并让你猜猜它们是什么。
他提到的作品是“小心”，
但你猜它们一定是“做正确的”，
如果忠实地遵循这一生，
它似乎会更好地成为人生的座右铭和安全的指南，
以获得更好的人生，
并且我当时决定，
这应该是我的人生座右铭。
到目前为止，
没有人能像我一样知道我失败的频率和痛苦程度，
但我从未忘记它，
我一直很高兴记住这两个词我已经接受了我父亲的建议。
毫无疑问，
你再也没有想到它，
但我相信这两个词对我的生活产生的影响比我听过的所有布道要大得多。
有时似乎很难说什么是正确的，
但我认为我们已经看到了今天做什么是正确的，
并且必须经常相信明天，
正如我在某本书中读到的那样。
“我们大多一次只看到一步。
”记住我们的道路是为我们指明并相信的，
这总是一种安慰。
如果我们真的想做正确的事，
我们将被展示如何去做。
亨利和我今天一直在谈论过去一年如此短暂的一年，
以及过去几个月给我们带来的许多乐趣。
而且我们经常想知道，
当你比我们知道的要好得多时，
我们的道路似乎仍然充满阳光，
而你的道路却有如此多的阴影。
但是我们会知道，
当我们都安全地在家时，
在天堂之光下的所有云层和阴影之外，
我们会清楚地看到现在所有的黑暗，
然后知道为什么有些人会“通过苦难变得完美”。
蒸笼上的钟声刚刚敲响过年[注：以下在第一页页边空白处竖着写]。
愿我亲爱的父亲和母亲以及所有在家里的亲人新年快乐，
并为你们所有人带来更多快乐的岁月，
这是我的祈祷。
你的女儿，
海蒂
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Noyes, Harriet Newell, “Letter from Hattie to Father, December 31, 1871,” Letters from Harriet Noyes: Missionaries and Women's Education in Nineteenth Century China, accessed May 7, 2024, https://noyesletters.org/items/show/125.